The first month of college football season has provided impressive performances at every turn, and the first weekend of October has a strong case for some of the best yet across the board of phases and levels.
Louisiana vs. All Y’all’s nine Player of the Week award winners for Sept. 29 through Oct. 5, the fifth week of high school and college and fourth of NFL, represent an incredible combination of prolific numbers and timely, pivotal plays in big wins from Thursday through Monday.
And in many cases in may close games, the players were absolutely critical in their teams’ clinching victory.
HIGH SCHOOL
Offense — Brandon Craig Jr. (2027), Haughton RB: The Buccaneers’ senior running back has been as consistent as any player the past two years in finding the end zone week in and week out. And in his 22nd consecutive game scoring at least one touchdown, Craig did so over and over and over and over again in prolific, record-setting fashion. His seven touchdowns in a 55-36 run past Parkway set a new program record and matched an 84-year-old Shreveport-Bossier record. Halfway through the season, Craig is making strong case for some elite honors not only in the metro area, but on a statewide level. Most importantly, he’s been a driving force to his Bucs’ best start since 2019.
Defense — Ty Williams (2028), Edna Karr DB: Defensive Player of the Week awards can run the spectrum from eye-popping numbers, such as big tackle totals, racked up over four quarters to high-leverage, game-swinging moments highlighting some key plays when the opportunities arise. How about this for both: Three interceptions, including an 85-yard pick-six that flipped his Cougars’ late deficit into a 25-21 comeback victory that extended the program’s win streak to 32 games over the past three seasons. Edna Karr continues to have new starters step up in major ways in their bigger roles, and the junior defensive back did so in huge fashion Friday.
Special Teams — Daylan Bouvay (2029) and D’Landon Nabor (2027), East Ascension DBs: For the second straight week, the LVAY HS Special Teams Player of the Week honors are heading to Gonzales. In fact, make that three Spartans in two weeks with, for the first time in LVAY awards history, co-winners this week. Only fitting after the combination of the sophomore’s blocked punt and senior’s scoop and 40-yard score of the loose ball helped punctuate East Ascension’s wild, 28-24 comeback at Walker to remain in control of its own destiny early in the District 5-5A race.
COLLEGE
Offense — D’Wanye’ “Lunch” Winfield, Ragin’ Cajuns QB: The former Lutcher star provided one of his most efficient performances of the season when his Ragin’ Cajuns needed that type of effort to scrap out another dog fight against Arkansas State. Winfield completed 18 of his 21 passes, a season-high 85.7%, for 189 yards and carried 14 times for 64 yards and a touchdown. His 161.3 passer rating and 77.6 QBR were both his second-highest this season, and his 91.0 offensive and 91.4 passing grades from PFF were both career-highs. Winfield has now put together season numbers of 844 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 83-for-110 (75.5%) passing and 364 yards and seven scores on 69 carries, including the past four games of 67-for-88 (76.1%) passing for 655 yards and two touchdowns and and 61 carries for 280 yards and six scores.
Defense — Jadon Mayfield, Louisiana Tech LB: The Bulldogs were quickly down one of their top playmakers, linebacker Alonzo Jackson Jr., in a matchup Saturday in which the position group was going to be tested and critical to success. Louisiana Tech’s linebackers are one of the biggest strengths for any program in the state, though, and had a few step up to hold off Army, 31-29. Mayfield, the former Ruston star, led his hometown team with 10 tackles, had a quarterback hurry, and a sky-high 90.2 run-defense grade from PFF.
Special Teams — Tony Sterner, Ragin’ Cajuns K: The redshirt senior did his best to deflect as much credit as possible Saturday to his teammates, but his impact was critical and pivotal in the team’s 23-20 homecoming comeback to down Arkansas State in walk-off fashion on his 37-yard field goal as time expired. Sterner finished 3-for-3 from 38, 25 and 37 yards and 2-for-2 on extra points for nearly half the team’s scoring, including the game-tying and -winning kicks in the final minutes. He has been the most accurate kicker and among the highest-scoring players in the Sun Belt through the first month of the season.
PROFESSIONAL
Offense — Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys QB: Make that two LVAY POTW awards this week for Haughton, as the Buccaneers’ former star quarterback put together big numbers and a clutch, game-winning drive to help his Cowboys edge Houston for the 34-30 victory. Prescott completed 32 of 45 passes for a season-high 335 yards and the 12-yard, go-ahead touchdown to Opelousas native CeeDee Lamb in the final minute. Prescott is off to an efficient start with his 70.0% completion rate and 8-to-1 touchdown-to-quarterback ratio, both of which would mark career-highs if he continues that performance. And his 1,065 yards and eight touchdowns both represent paces for one of the best seasons of his career as well.
Defense — Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers LB: The former Covington star unfortunately suffered a season-ending Achilles injury midway through the third quarter of the Green Bay Packers’ 17-14 road win at Tampa Bay. Cooper was off to a huge start to the game and to a potential All-Pro caliber of season. His nine tackles, one sack and one interception all matched game-highs despite his contest being cut short. His pick in Green Bay territory helped cut short a potential go-ahead drive for the Buccaneers and instead set up a go-ahead drive before halftime for his Packers. Cooper is the only player in the league through four games with at least 30 tackles, three sacks and an interception.
Special Teams — KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys WR: The dynamic former Neville star had another big Sunday in the return game where he continues to be among the league’s top weapons. His five kick returns for 147 yards (29.4-yard average) and four punt returns for 47 yards (11.8-yard average) were both among his best games thus far in a season in which he is second in the NFL in total return yardage and has been consistently valuable to his Cowboys in the field-position battle.
